Hopefully later we can say something that has not been said about the Cubs since 2008, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.

Cole certainly kept the Pirates in most of his 32 starts this season, going 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA.

Anthony Rizzo had two hits and three RBIs, including a solo homer into the Cubs bullpen in right in the fourth off Ariel Pena (2-1). The Cubs aren’t deep in terms of defensive-oriented outfielders, so Szczur could be useful, and he also gives the team a second pinch runner in case Berry is used.

Dan Haren finished what probably is his last career regular season game with a strong performance. “I’m very proud of each and every one of our guys”.

Now the downside: The left-hander dominated the Yankees in both ballparks this year. “The idea behind the wild card was you give the division victor the advantage, and I’m not sure sitting for five days to play your first playoff round is really an advantage”. He had three hits to raise his AL-best average to.

It’ll definitely have a heavyweight title fight feel to it when Jake Arrieta and Gerrit Cole go round-for-round in what could be a low-scoring game.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Todd Gurley rushed for all but two of his 146 yards in the second half as the St. Louis Rams held on to hand the Arizona Cardinals a 24-22 loss on Sunday. It’s the first playoff appearance for the franchise in seven years.

Reporters had started to exit Clint Hurdle’s office Saturday afternoon when he casually asked a media relations staffer, “Did we tell them that Cole will start the wild-card game officially?” That game’s scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, so expect a single game thread for it to post at 6 p.m. CT.

It’s looking more likely like that winner-take-all game will be taking place in Pittsburgh.

“We recognize that we’re going through a transitional period, there’s a good chance there’s even greater change than in the past”, said Braun, who is signed through 2020. Overall, the Cubs own the head-to-head matchup, 11-8. The veteran reliever isn’t expected to available for the wild card game on Wednesday, but might be ready if the team advances. Following along with the scores on my phone, I found, was enough for me, especially since the Reds forgot to bring their offense to Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon.

With the MLB regular season coming to an end, it’s time to gear up for the most exciting time of the year in baseball.

“You fall behind big league hitters and you limit yourself in your pitch choices, it’s trouble for anybody, ” managerCraig Counsell said. But that’s not appropriate today, because our hearts are full with the memories of this awesome Cubs season, and hope for the next four weeks of baseball.

The Pittsburgh Pirates went 98-64, the second-best record in the major leagues. The Milwaukee Brewers were swept 10 times and went 16-34-4 in series play this season….